1 Chronicles 21:1-3

New American Standard Bible 1995

Census Brings Pestilence

21 ^(A)Then Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel. ² So David said to Joab and to the princes of the people, “^(B)Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan, and bring me word that I may know their number.” ³ Joab said, “^(C)May the Lord add to His people a hundred times as many as they are! But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? Why does my lord seek this thing? Why should he be a cause of guilt to Israel?”